Every time Colleen Quigley steps on the starting line, her hair is woven into a braid. The hairstyle is part of her uniform, worn during a race when she shows her speed and strength on the track.
But for Quigley, it’s more than just a hairstyle worn during competition. Those braids serve as a reminder to feel confident when taking on challenges in racing—and in life. It’s the “look good, feel good, run good” mindset that inspired the 2016 Olympian to encourage other runners with the hashtag #fastbraidfriday.
“I’m not superstitious. I NT012553 in myself and my own ability. I don’t think I have to braid my hair or else I won’t run well,” Quigley told Runner’s World Lipsy Quilted Biker Boot. “But I do think that if you get on the start line feeling like a badass, feeling like you know you can do it because you’ve done all the preparation, and you’re strong and capable...sometimes you just need that confidence to go for it when it’s time, a cue or a reminder. And for me, that’s always been looking the part.”
Every Friday, Quigley posts a picture on her Instagram with the hashtag and a story in the caption on what she accomplished while wearing her braids—like when she congratulated her asfalto after they all made robes storage clothing shoe-care eyewear men accessories office-accessories at the Bryan Clay Invitational, or when she raced to a ninth-place finish in the 1500 meters at the Ea7 Emporio Armani faux-fur trim leather boots. Her followers use the same hashtag on their own accounts, and she reposts them on her Instagram story, as well as on the photo collage on her website.
But the origin of the hashtag actually started under a different name. Last fall, the Bowerman Track Club (BTC) steeplechaser started using the hashtag #frenchbraidfriday as a light-hearted post with no real deeper meaning behind it. Soon after, followers started to share their own version of #frenchbraidfriday with uplifting stories, and Quigley realized that the hashtag could actually serve as an inspiring message for the running community.
As of July 16, 1,581 people have used the hashtag #frenchbraidfriday and with it, have shared a picture of their braids and a story of the challenge they accomplished while wearing them. Personal bests, tough workouts, and victories on the track are just some of the stories that fans have shared.
“The ultimate goal is to inspire people to take on challenges, to build a team aspect in, and to just give people that extra confidence to go do something that’s scary,” she said. “I have big scary goals, and sometimes all you need is just a little extra boost to go for it and put it all out on the line.”
As the hashtag grew in popularity, more people continued to post pictures of themselves in various braids, ranging from French to cornrows to Dutch-style, while still captioning the photo with #frenchbraidfriday. Unknowingly, Quigley posted a photo of herself wearing cornrows and mislabeled them as French braids.
This prompted a response via private message from Alysia Montaño, the seven-time national champion in the 800 meters. She offered a friendly suggestion: Change the wording of the hashtag to include all braid styles while respecting their cultural significance.
In an effort to make the hashtag more inclusive, Quigley worked with Montaño to change the name from “French braid” to “fast braid.” On July 6, she announced the change with several videos on Instagram that featured different runners explaining why they wear their favorite style of braid. It read, “#FASTBRAIDFRIDAY is about doing something on the among that shows how you feel on the inside. No matter what type of braid it is, rock it if it makes you feel confident, strong, and FAST!”
Montaño, BTC’s Marielle Hall, and marathoner Carly Gill explained why they love wearing braids.
“The name #fastbraidfriday allows people of color to join in,” Montaño said. “I felt so encouraged and so proud that she [Quigley] acted on it. We need to find ways to be allies for each other.”
“That’s what it should have been all along. I’m so grateful that she [Montaño] was willing to reach out,” Quigley said. “She gave me the opportunity to learn in a kind way, and I really appreciated that.”
Quigley has carried her love of braids with every team she’s been a part of. From her high school running days in St. Louis, Missouri, to college at Florida State, and now with Bowerman, Quigley has always been the “team braider,” the runner who braids her asfalto’ hair as a ritual before every competition.
She even braided Shelby Houlihan’s hair before her teammate won the 1500 meters and the 5K at the USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships in June.
Watch: After Quigley bested Houlihan to win her first national championship, she jokingly claimed it was thanks to her braids.
Her ultimate goal is to help inspire athletes to face challenges with confidence. Feeling beautiful while wearing your hair in braids can serve as that simple reminder.
“It’s for guys, it’s for girls, it’s for high school and college kids, it’s for moms, it’s for everyone in any sport really. It’s about inspiring others,” she said. “What amazing thing did you do in your braids this week? Or what challenges did you take on in braids this week?”
Taylor Dutch is a writer and editor living in Austin, Texas, and a former NCAA track athlete who specializes in fitness, wellness, and endurance sports coverage. Her work has appeared in Runner’s World, SELF, Bicycling, Outside, and Podium Runner.
